Getting to Know: Bettina Hunt

I’m delighted, today, to welcome Bettina Hunt to the blog. Bettina has kindly agreed to answer my questions, so without further ado, it’s over to Bettina.

Welcome to the blog, Bettina. What inspires your story ideas or characters?
My first book, A Tempting Trio, was conceived whilst I was watching my son play in the park, my mind wandered to desserts and then comparing men to desserts… it was a fun little exercise that turned into a novel.
The idea for my second book, Without A Hitch came about after I planned my own wedding and then followed my sister’s journey of wedding planning. It can be a real rollercoaster of emotions for those involved and yet it all hinges on just one day! I loved having three brides-to-be in my novel, it was nice to compare their stories.

How do you go about starting a new writing project?
Normally an idea and title pop into my head, I start writing little notes of lines, storylines and plots but then I let the characters and story lead me…

Have you a favourite inspirational quote?
“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.”― Louis L’Amour

What was your favourite book as a child and how do you view it now as an adult?
Charles Dickens – David Copperfield. I still adore it and will read it every so often. It captured something in me that no other book has. I love it so much that I named one of the characters in Without A Hitch Agnes in homage to the book.

What’s your favourite book as an adult?
Difficult question! I have too many to narrow it down but David Copperfield is definitely up there as is A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.

Who are your favourite fictional characters? (Your own or someone else’s).
All of the ones in David Copperfield. They are so vivid, I can just imagine them being real.

Which book do you wish you’d written?
In Office Hours by Lucy Kellaway – it captures everyday life and love based in an office brilliantly. You laugh and cringe in equal measure. I enjoyed every page.

Sounds interesting! Now, just imagine that your book is going to be filmed. Which song would you choose for the theme?
Gosh that is a hard question! How about Bruno Mars – Marry You, or Signed, Sealed, Delivered – Stevie Wonder – they are pretty apt for a film about weddings.

What thing or things are guaranteed to cheer you up?
My children are an endless source of laughter and joy. Listening to my favourite songs and eating good food.

Is there anything you would change about your life?
That I had enough time in the day to read and write.

What’s your favourite social media outlet and why?
As a words person, I love Twitter. It’s great fun watching a programme and following the hashtag and seeing what people are saying about it, sometimes it is better than the show…

What are the best and worst things about being a writer?
The best thing is receiving feedback from readers. It is so nice to know that someone else loves the book that you dreamed up and wrote. The worst is having all these ideas bouncing around in your head and not having enough time to write.

What one piece of advice would you give to other writers?
You want to write? Just start writing, I wish I hadn’t waited so long.

You’re stuck in a lift with three other people. Who would you like them to be?
Michael Macintyre, he is always guaranteed to make me laugh and hopefully if we are stuck in the lift for a long time it won’t feel like it. Dolly Parton – we can sing together, I imagine she is so sweet. I have always loved her! See what I did there?
My husband – it’s true! He is always so calm in an emergency. He can hold my hand and tell me everything will be okay.

Bettina Hunt lives in England with her husband and two young sons. Without A Hitch is her second novel. Her first, A Tempting Trio is a contemporary romantic comedy about the perils of multiple dating. She blogs about beauty, afternoon tea, spas and travel, as well as sharing poems and short stories at http://www.beautyswot.com.